One year on from their first fully cue-scripted production of Two Gentlemen of Verona, the salon:collective theatre company are about to throw themselves again into uncharted waters.

Performed using ‘cue script’ preparation, meaning without group rehearsal, as was the style for the Bard’s own actors, this seat-of-the-pants approach to Shakespeare takes you, the audience on a exhilarating journey of discovery with the actors as they live the play for the first time, moment to moment.

On 11 December they will take on The Tempest at the Cockpit Theatre, London armed with their own learned lines and immediate cues, exactly as it was performed in Tudor playhouses. Shakespeare’s players had no company rehearsal. Memorising up to 40 roles and expected to perform them often within an hour’s notice. Not knowing which actor or character would be in their scenes or what lines would be delivered to them, until they were on stage. Audiences relished the unpredictability, paying extra to see the first performances of each new play.

Over time, it is widely believed that Shakespeare’s writing was reworked and adapted. However the First Folio script used in this production is considered to be his original writing, unedited and untouched by subsequent authors over time.

It is a rare opportunity to see Shakespeare’s play be performed in the way he would have intended, with actors finding clues in his writing to guide them through their performances. As an audience you shall get to fully experience his theatre.

The voyage of discovery of The Tempest continues from 10 to 15 January 2017, when the show continues its evolution after its opening night. What new moments will be uncovered? This particular production of The Tempest promises to be unlike any other.

Director, dramaturg and actor Lizzie Conrad Hughes has the unique role of leading the cast. She has the unique role of knowing the play in detail (much like Shakespeare himself who we believe also performed in his plays), but still only able to fully explore the text once the company embarks on the opening performance. Lizzie explains why she was drawn to The Tempest:

‘There is a sense of wonderful controlled chaos with both the cue script work and in the play itself. I’m excited to see what putting these two together may release.’

Cue thunder, cue lightning, cue script. A play you know, in a style you don’t!

Lizzie Conrad Hughes, Dramaturg and Director
Lizzie has two degrees and a PGCE in English. After two years teaching, Lizzie retrained (Actors Institute, 1995). Her numerous professional acting credits indicate her versatility, playing roles such as Lady MacBeth to the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella as well as Mrs March in Little Women at the Duchess Theatre (2004-5). In 2012, Lizzie co-founded the salon:collective, where she now specialises in teaching Shakespeare for actors in addition to writing, producing and creating new work.

Lizzie has been guiding the salon:collective actors through cue script since January 2014 alongside Dewi Hughes, head of voice at Drama Studio London. Their technique is influenced by cue script pioneer Patrick Tucker and expert teacher Chris Pickles of Drama Studio London. They were invited to celebrate Shakespeare 400 with a selection of cue script scenes at Shakespeare’s own theatre, The Rose Playhouse.

Produced by the salon: collective
The salon:collective is a diverse community of artists based in London. They train actors, develop writers and deliver corporate communications training. They create, collaborate on events and productions while offering a supportive, energising climate for artists making their own work.

Tags:

Abigail Tarttelin is a Hackney-based author. Her third novel Dead Girls will be published by Mantle on 3 May. It follows the award-winning Golden Boy, which told the story of an intersex teenager called Max. Comedian, author and broadcaster Rosie Wilby spoke to her.

Become an Associate writer

Monthly archive

Funding partners

Female Arts is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk.